Itching for a Jazz bass....which one?

[the federalist]

In the market for a 4-string J bass with that 'traditional' sound.

Prefer American made. Prefer passive. Prefer used, but without mods. Can spend up to two grand. Would prefer less, of course.

Obvious choice is a Fender Professional or equivalent older models. I guess a basic question is whether spending more than on a used Fender Professional (or equivalent) yields value. I'm partial to a AVRI P bass and I assume a AVRI J would be more than adequate. Is a Vintera close enough, given that it costs a ton less? Other Fender models to consider?

A used Lakland sounds good, too. I assume the Lakland choice is the 44-60 and that a Classic Series would fill the bill just fine.

G&L would be fine, too, but only if it sounds 'right'. Are we talking a JB model? Any other model does it better?

Anything else? Bacchus, sandberg?

I know a Squier or a Skyline or a Tribute would serve my needs just fine, but that's not what I want. Also not in the mood to track down a used Tokai or something like that.

Like every other product now (cell phones, cat food, paper towels, beer, etc, etc), there's too many flippin' choices!

Thanks for your thoughts and help!

 

[Flaked Beans]

As I said many times, get the real thing. Here is my 2008 american standard jazz bass. I love it.

 

[Mili]

The answer is Geddy Lee MIA!

 

[MRV]

MIA Fender Standard Jazzes from 2012-2016 come with the Custom Shop 60s pickups and are considered some of the best models of Jazz for the money. Do it!

 

[bassist4dalord]

Another vote for the MIA Geddy. I've never played one but if I had two grand for a bass that would get my money!

 

[the federalist]

The answer is Geddy Lee MIA!

Another vote for the MIA Geddy.

Does it matter if I've never liked Rush even a little bit? I know it shouldn't matter, but it would make me remember that I don't like Rush every time I saw the bass although the signature is on the back and isn't legible.

 

[REV]

For my money, the Geddy Lee Jazz bass is the best Jazz bass Fender has ever made. I'm not into Rush, (but I think Geddy is a really good musician). Regardless of all that the Geddy bass has a certain something that to my ears other Jazz basses lack. There is a little more bass, there is a little more top and there is a certain growl that Geddy basses have that I've never heard from other Jazz basses. To me the MIJ have this a bit more than the MIA basses. The MIA Geddy's are a little different. They feel more solid. To my ears they don't growl as much but they are really good in their own way. Just my 2 cents.

 

[nonohmic]

I've been GASing for one of these;

Fender Limited Edition Lightweight Ash American Professional Jazz Bass | Reverb

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

The truth is that it depends what your needs are, what "sounds good" is totally subjective and doesn't necessarily come with a higher price point. i.e. Joe Dart played a Mexican Jazz bass for many years before getting his signature model...

If all i wanted was a passive Jazz bass I would probably opt for a MIA Jazz Bass (already did). However, if I was shelling out more than 1k I would want:

• Under 9lbs and balanced
• Perfect fit & finish
• Easily adjustable truss rod
• 24 frets
• No compromises on looks (I would get the exact color/wood combination I want)
• Made in a 1st world country

Lots of basses meet those requirements, and it's important to note that there isn't one perfect choice, there are lots of basses you can choose that meet your needs and will make you happy, whether it's a Fender, Lakland or G&L.

 

[Liam Wald]

Not playing it much anymore since I switched to short scale but the best Jazz Bass I have ever played is my 1977 Aria/Matsumoku Pro-II Lawsuit.

 

[Killing Floor]

Lots of great choices starting with the "original", try to play as many as you have access to. Borrow from your friends, sit in the shops, find one that connects with you. Just make sure it doesn't have those metal railroad tie thingys across the fingerboard.

 

[fretno]

I've had many over the years and kept just one . a 90's ESP "Seymour Duncan" . My point is you should play as many as you can , maybe even be ready to flip a few until you find that one that speaks to you .
I added the VT/VT which is perfect ! & the KTS bridge . Still has the stock SJB-1's in it and it's just unreal .
Got J ?

 

[HardNHeavy]

play as many as you can..it will choose you. i bought my mim J off ebay at 2am "gassing while drunk"....it was a good player right outta the box, guess i got lucky...but i modded it with new pups and bridge.

 

[overit]

American Original 60s. If the one I had was lighter and I mostly played 4s I’d still have it. A few on reverb including the one I traded out for well under 2k. If you like that more modern feel (9.5 radius) but the more classic look and tone, it might be the one for you and you don’t have to worry whether you like Rush or not.

 

[HG1180]

Fender MIA or 80s MIJ Jazz bass.
Fender 2012 Limited Edition Jazz Bass Amber MIA American made | Jon’s Guitars | Reverb

Fender JB-62 Jazz Bass 1989-1990 Black | Navid's Gear Emporium | Reverb

Fender JBR-1000 Jazz Bass 1988 MIJ | bass4003 | Reverb

Fender Vintera '70s Jazz Bass w/ Gig Bag, Inca Silver, Pau Ferro FB #ISS5595 | Blues Angel Music | Reverb

Heres a few varying options

 

[Steve88]

If you don't mind the look and can get your hands on one, test drive one of the roadworn Jazz basses. Once I got mine, I sold off an American Standard Jazz and a Custom Shop Jazz because I didn't have any interest in even opening their cases. The tone and feel wasn't even all that close.

Edit: obligatory picture added

 

[Relsom]

Me too. It will be a USA Geddy.

 

[Gunga Din]

MIA Fender Standard Jazzes from 2012-2016 come with the Custom Shop 60s pickups and are considered some of the best models of Jazz for the money. Do it!

I can vouch for the CS '60 pups across three Jazz basses!

 

[garp]

Is a Vintera close enough, given that it costs a ton less?

I'm a huge fan of Fender's MIM offerings. Check out whatever you can actually get your hands on.

Other Fender models to consider?

If you really want the USA badge, the American Performer Jazz is quite nice. It's priced a tad below the Professional Jazz...plus you don't have to show a tax return at checkout to prove that you're actually a "professional."

 

[Kukulkan61]

Get one of these and be done with it! Fender Roadworn 60s can’t get anymore traditional than this...